Outlaws a Step Closer to Homefield With Win Over Bayhawks

Hoping to clinch one of the two home playoff games for the first
round, the Denver Outlaws (9-4) accomplished half of what they need
this weekend by holding off a strong second-half surge by the
moribund Chesapeake Bayhawks (4-9) to take a 18-16 victory in
Annapolis Thursday evening. A loss by the New York Lizards on
Saturday (or a win in next week's regular season finale against the
Lizards) will keep Denver at home for the following week's MLL
first round.

John Grant, Jr. was MVP of the win Thursday night, scoring four
goals and adding four assists, with half of those points coming in
the fourth quarter as the Outlaws put the game away after the
Bayhawks rallied to tie things up after a 8-2 third quarter run.
Denver had opened up a six goal lead by halftime, but the host and
defending champion Bayhawks showed plenty of fight despite their
playoff fate being decided a week ago with their eighth loss of the
year.

Eric Law (3G, 1A) and Chris Bocklet (3G) scored well for Denver,
while Jeremy Sieverts and Zack Greer had three assists each in the
win and goalie Jesse Schwartzman made 18 saves, including nine in
the second quarter as Denver built its early advantage.

Brendan Mundorf (3G, 1A), Drew Westervelt (3G, 1 2-point goal)
and Ben Hunt (3G) all scored well for the Bayhawks, which dominated
in many of the other aspects of the game. Stephen Robarge went a
near-absurd 29-for-36 facing off with Denver's Anthony Kelly
sitting due to injury. Chesapeake also dominated in ground balls
(41 to Denver's 26) and shots (57 to 37, though in shots on goal,
the advantage fell to 33-30).

The victory pulls Denver even with Rochester at nine wins,
though the Rattlers hold a half game advantage with three losses to
Denver's four prior to their game this weekend against Ohio at
home. The Outlaws will be watching Friday's New York-Charlotte game
to see if they clinch a home game or if they'll need to nail it
down with a win on August 9th.